Do you remember when you were young, and you were the strongest person you knew? 

 

That lasts for almost all of us until we are about 4 or 5 years old. 

 

Now, do you remember? 

 

I thought about this.  I was strong and could do anything at that age. 

 

It was a time when I felt like this drawing that I saw on a sidewalk outside a school that was drawn by young children.

 

Suddenly, I am rolling back in time to feel the same thing. 

Flexing muscles

You can even see the muscles added onto the outline.  Flexing muscles, too!

 

Do you know a young child who knows this about themself?

 

Strong, sure about what is happening, boldly claiming how they see the world.

 

Love it! 

 

I also think that the child who drew this was in their pure element when the outline was created, as if to show off who they were on this day.

 

Now for the question with this picture.

 

What would your outline look like? Would you be the shadow of who you are, or will you be in full bright light? 

 

I have thought about this for myself. 

 

This muscle flexing view of self would have been me as a child. 

 

I was strong enough to climb trees, swing from the bars on the playground, and scamper over boulders on a mountain.

 

I could wrestle with siblings, play games at a moment’s notice, and walk or bike miles with friends.

Working to become

Now?  It is who I am working to become again. 

 

I am also letting myself go back to this way of thinking.

 

Time goes by and then the changes come after that age of knowing you are strong and powerful. 

 

And yet, some keep this view of self.  

 

Once in a while you connect with others who also know this about themself.

 

I have found many of these people. 

 

Friends and family who know their strength or are in the process of finding it again. 

The children especially show how this is done. 

 

Asking questions, growing stronger and learning who they are going to be.

 

Let’s go back to the beginning when you thought about a child who matches this outline. 

 

Do you have them fixed in our mind? 

 

Sweet. 

The next step

Now to the next step. 

 

What can be done to keep that in their young minds, so they always have that strong view of self?

 

To know that they can become even stronger. 

 

Perhaps it includes doing what we did as children with them. 

 

Climb a tree, play a game, hike a mountain or see what they enjoy talking about.

 

And then there is this thought. 

What if they are the ones to lead the way now? 

 

I do think that this could be the best way. And the way that turns into the most fun. 

 

Fun with a side of growing stronger.

 

My friends, here are the final questions.

 

What does your outline look like?  Can you see ways to continue growing into someone close to this chalk outline? 

 

I am starting to find a way.  Again. 

Let’s find ways together.